US$400 million (Kshs 50 billion) to electrify the Nairobi-Ruiru Railway line

upepo

upepo

Elder Lister
Kenya Railways partners with World Bank to electrify suburban trains

Jun 20, 2024
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KENYA – Kenya Railways (KRC) and the World Bank are collaborating to modernize Kenya’s rail network, starting with the electrification of suburban trains.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate and modernize rail infrastructure across all 47 counties, with a focus on key regions including Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Murang’a, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu. The pilot phase, ending in August 2024, targets the Thika-Nanyuki section, where battery-powered electric multiple units (BEMUs) will replace diesel engines. This change involves installing rechargeable batteries on tracks and using them for traction on non-electrified lines.This project is a component of the Kenya Urban Transport Improvement Project (KUTIP), which KRC is leading in partnership with the World Bank Group.

The World Bank has pledged support to improve the scalability and bankability of electric mobility solutions. The goal is to meet the growing demand for passenger transport while reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. At least US$400 million will be invested in the section from Nairobi Central Station to Ruiru (32 km). Due to its population density and forecasted demand, this area is expected to see the greatest socio-economic and accessibility impacts. Modernizing and electrifying suburban trains aims to improve safety and comfort for the 13,000 passengers on the 155-kilometer rail network daily. This development follows the Ministry of Roads and Transport’s launch of Kenya’s first Electric Mobility (e-mobility) Draft Policy at KICC in Nairobi.

Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, highlighted the policy’s benefits, including reduced emissions, lower operating costs, decreased reliance on imported fuels, and creating green jobs. He emphasized the need for Kenya to embrace innovative ideas to improve travel, the environment, and the economy. The CS invited public participation to review and suggest improvements to the draft policy, which aims to mitigate climate change and enhance Kenya’s leadership in renewable energy. The Task Force, supported by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), developed the policy. The CS also introduced green-colored number plates for all-electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, to raise awareness and promote e-mobility.Charging infrastructure will be established at Transcom House, the Ministry of Roads and Transport’s headquarters.

Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar emphasized e-mobility’s role in the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and its potential to create job opportunities, especially for the youth. Task Force Chairman, Mr. Daniel Ngumy, outlined the draft policy’s objectives, including promoting e-mobility adoption, local manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (EVs), enhancing infrastructure, and improving technical skills in the e-mobility sector. The policy also addresses energy demand management, suggesting that e-mobility could help bridge peak and off-peak demand gaps by charging EVs at night. It estimates that daily curtailed energy could power about 7,000 electric buses or over 200,000 electric motorcycles. Additionally, the Draft Policy includes measures to enhance gender equality and social inclusion in the e-mobility ecosystem, incentivizing women, youth, and people with disabilities to participate in e-mobility-related economic activities.
 
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Mwalimu-G said:
51.6 Billion for a single suburban line?????
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Not a new line. Just upgrading the trains and infrastructure to support battery powered trains, which are still a novelty (and expensive) even in the developed world . The same amount would have been enough to build a brand new, dual-track standard gauge line on the same stretch.
 
Note the catch phrases 'reduced emissions', 'lower operating costs' 'Decreased reliance on imported fuel' and creating green jobs not forgetting 'promoting emobility adoption' 'reducing carbon emissions' these are the keyword phrases that assures the applicant access to loans from the west.
Use them to marinate your grant applications and you won't miss the funding.
 
Clemens said:
Note the catch phrases 'reduced emissions', 'lower operating costs' 'Decreased reliance on imported fuel' and creating green jobs not forgetting 'promoting emobility adoption' 'reducing carbon emissions' these are the keyword phrases that assures the applicant access to loans from the west.
Use them to marinate your grant applications and you won't miss the funding.
Click to expand...

Kina wale watu wa Koko gas and those things walisha kafunga. Ni wazungu by the way.
 
Clemens said:
Note the catch phrases 'reduced emissions', 'lower operating costs' 'Decreased reliance on imported fuel' and creating green jobs not forgetting 'promoting emobility adoption' 'reducing carbon emissions' these are the keyword phrases that assures the applicant access to loans from the west.
Use them to marinate your grant applications and you won't miss the funding.
Click to expand...
Written by IMF honchos or NGO types.
 
Clemens said:
Note the catch phrases 'reduced emissions', 'lower operating costs' 'Decreased reliance on imported fuel' and creating green jobs not forgetting 'promoting emobility adoption' 'reducing carbon emissions' these are the keyword phrases that assures the applicant access to loans from the west.
Use them to marinate your grant applications and you won't miss the funding.
Click to expand...
Actually they've made it conditional that part of any loans they give must go toward green projects or those that support reduced emissions whether or not a country needs such. The problem is that in many instances, countries will pay for failed projects. The Nairobi-Ruiru line was barely making any profits, which means the new investments will improve nothing. They could have used the same money to introduce numerous fast trains on a standard gauge track to take the pressure off the roads during peak hours.
 
upepo said:
Actually they've made it conditional that part of any loans they give must go toward green projects or those that support reduced emissions whether or not a country needs such. The problem is that in many instances, countries will pay for failed projects. The Nairobi-Ruiru line was barely making any profits, which means the new investments will improve nothing. They could have used the same money to introduce numerous fast trains on a standard gauge track to take the pressure off the roads during peak hours.
Click to expand...
Shhhh... Allow us to get the $$$s here then we will decide
 
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